Remember those who exemplify God’s truth and faithfulness

Hebrews 13:7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. This verse almost seems like an abrupt redirection of attention, but it isn’t. If we think about the author’s line of reasoning, it makes great sense. His aim, since 10:39, was to encourage his readers to not shrink back but to endure in faith until the end of their lives. In chapter 11, he encouraged them by reminding them of many O.T. examples of enduring faith. Then in chapter 12, he encouraged them to fix their eyes on Jesus as they ran their race to the finish line, receiving everything as the Father’s love and training exercises. They were to repent of unbelief, run in the path of peace and holiness, and watch out for those who might defile them with bitterness and immorality. Then he highlighted the unshakableness of the heavenly kingdom of God, where Jesus is king, and that showing gratitude by love is the only reasonable response. After giving practical ways to express their gratitude through love, he encouraged them with that they are to put their confidence in, namely, God’s presence with them. However, that’s not all they have to remember. They not only have examples of past ages; they have contemporary examples, those who were the leaders of the church, such as Peter, James, Barnabas, and the other disciples. Perhaps you remember from Acts 7 that the disciples selected deacons so they could focus on teaching the word. In Heb. 2, verse 3, he mentioned those who had heard the Lord and then taught it to them. Not only were they to remember what they had been taught by those leaders, but they were to remember how they lived out their faith until the end of their lives. They were to encourage themselves by repeatedly recalling their faithfulness and then imitating them. As we run our race living to love with Jesus, there are those whom God has given us who have confessed that God was their helper, and they lived it out by not being afraid of men. They taught us the truth, even if it meant suffering persecution and rejection from the outside world and those of the world in the church. The verb, remember, is in the continuous action form. They were to continually remind themselves of those faithful saints who taught them by both word and example. Do you have some of those people in your life? People who have labored in the kingdom, running their race with endurance and keeping their eyes fixed on Jesus, showing gratitude to God by loving with an unshakable love? Don’t forget them. Remember them today, and give God thanks for giving you living examples of His life dwelling within them. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.